Tom Sorell
Papers
12
Total Citations
466
H-Index
9
About
Tom Sorell is a philosopher whose research spans applied ethics, political philosophy, and the rapidly evolving field of human-robot interaction, with a particular focus on the ethical dimensions of assistive technology for older people. His most influential work, "Robot Carers, Ethics, and Older People" (2014, 166 citations), established a landmark ethical framework for deploying companion robots in home settings, centering on autonomy, dignity, and the wellbeing of frail older adults living independently. This contribution helped shape international conversations about how technology should be designed and introduced responsibly into vulnerable people's lives. Sorell was a key contributor to the pan-European ACCOMPANY project, which developed acceptable robotic companions for aging populations, producing multiple influential publications examining user perspectives across the UK, France, and the Netherlands. His qualitative, cross-cultural research demonstrated that core values — including safety, privacy, and social connectedness — must drive both robot design and deployment practices. Beyond elder care robotics, Sorell has explored the ethics of cobots in workplaces, surveillance in counter-terrorism, and foundational principles of robot ethics more broadly. With over 400 combined citations across his major works, he remains a significant and distinctive voice bridging rigorous philosophical analysis with real-world technological and policy challenges.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Robot carers, ethics, and older people166 citations · 2014
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- 7Cobots, “co-operation” and the replacement of human skill18 citations · 2022
- 8Second thoughts about privacy, safety and deception15 citations · 2017
- 9Preventive Policing, Surveillance, and European Counter-Terrorism10 citations · 2011
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